NY Gov linked to prostitution ring

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/11/spitzer/index.html?iref=topnews



ALBANY, New York (CNN) -- Aides to New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the state's lieutenant governor have begun planning for a possible transition after federal prosecutors linked Spitzer to a high-end prostitution ring, a top legislative staffer said Tuesday.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer, with his wife, Silda, by his side, apologizes to his family and to the public on Monday.







Spitzer, a former state attorney general whose reputation as a scourge of white-collar crime propelled him to the governor's office in 2006, has faced calls for his resignation since apologizing for an undisclosed personal indiscretion Monday afternoon.


The Republican leader of the state Assembly said Tuesday that he would move to impeach Spitzer if he remained in office.


Three Democratic sources involved in state and party politics told CNN that negotiations were aimed at orchestrating the governor's resignation as early as Wednesday morning.


But all three said on condition of anonymity that the situation was volatile, noting that indications that Spitzer would step down Monday turned out to be unfounded.


Two of the three sources said close Spitzer aides were attempting to resolve some remaining political issues, including a formal resignation and transfer of power to Lt. Gov. David Paterson.


On Monday, prosecutors unsealed an affidavit detailing a rendezvous in a Washington hotel room last month as part of a federal prostitution investigation.


The affidavit refers only to "Client 9," but a source told CNN on Monday that the reference was to Spitzer.


Sources say Spitzer spent more than $15,000 for several encounters with prostitutes.